Multipanel windows



Jan. 27, 1959 H. PEsELNlcK 2,870,831

MULTIPANEL WINDOWS Filed June 15, 1955 .Z e Z8 I'HIL 2 Sheets-Sheetl 1 (a O la c? y2 k lili] /k ATToRNEY Jan. 2 7, 1959 Filed June 15, 1955 H. PESELNICK MULTIPANEL WINDOWS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /lf ATTORNEY nited States This invention relates to improvements in windows, and more particularly to a combined screen, storm and blackout window.

The window constructed in accordance with this invention may be permanently installed and is practical in all climates throughout the year. It consists essentially of a flexible composite band having a transparent section of suitable plastic material, a screen portion, and a portion of semior non-transparent material, such as black cloth or the like, suitably mounted on rollers supported at the lateralsides of a window frame, and means to wind said composite band from one side of the window frame to the other and vice versa. A retaining member or frame is provided for tightly holding the visible band portion against the window frame to prevent noise or draft.

While it has already been proposed to combine a transparent material with a` screen and to mount the same on rollers, such structures were not generally accepted by the house owners for various reasons, such as relative complicatedness of the devices proposed with consequent high costs for installation thereof, noise connected with their use, and the fact that such devices are not sealing when elimination of draft is desired, as in the winter season.

Several embodiments of the invention, all based on a common inventive concept, will be described hereinafter and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible of a number of modifications such as may occur to persons skilled in the art, and it is therefore not desired that the same be limited to the exact details shown and de-` scribed, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein like characters of reference indicate similar elements.

Fig. l is a front elevational View of the preferred embodiment of the novel combination window, showing a pair of bands between vertical rollers movable independently or conjointly by a pulley arrangement below the window sill, and a pair of retaining frames that prevent noise or draft;

Fig. la is a view of the bottom portion of the window illustrated in Fig. l, with an additional drive for the two Fig. 4a is a View, substantially at right angles to that of Fig. 4, showing a different structure for limiting the pivotal movement of the lower retaining frame;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of one detached band, showing the relative disposition of its sections; t

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional illustration of another ,shaft gripper mechanism; l 1

arent 'ice Fig. 7 is a view of the lower half of a window, showing a modified embodiment of the invention with. a different roller drive; i

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8 8 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to that of Fig. 7, with a dierent roller drive; and

Fig. 10 shows the window of Fig. 9 with a` still diiferent drive.

Referring now in more detail to the illustrated e`mbodiments, and more particularly to Figs. l to 6, a window frame generally indicated by numeral 10, has side members 11, 12, upper and lower members 13, 14, and a reinforcing cross member 1S, conveniently made of wood or suitable light metal. Apair of vertical shafts 16, 1'7 are mounted on side members 11, 12 by brackets 18 at their upper extremities, and pass through suitable flanged stops `20 and sill 19 on which said stops 2l) are non-rotatably supported. The lower extremities of shafts 16, 17 are provided with pulleys 21, 22, connected by belt 23 serving as a means for manually rotating shafts 16, 17 in either direction.

As seen in Fig. la, one of the shafts, for example shaft 16, may be extended below its pulley 21, and a worm wheel 64 mounted thereon which meshes with a worm 65 rotatably supported on the lower frame member 14. Worm 65 is provided with a square hole 65a for reception of a crank (not shown) that Will rotate shafts 16, 17 in either direction.

Bands 2d, 25, one of which is Shown in more detail in Fig. 5, are anchored at their lateral ends in flanged rollers 26a, 27a, and 26b, 2711, respectively, with the horizontal edges of upper band 24 somewhat overlapping window frame members 13, 15, and the lower band 25 overlapping members 15, 14. A device generally indicated by numeral 28 and better shown in Figs. 3 and 3a, independently connects toor disconnects rollers 2.6, Z7 from the shafts 16, 17 to bring a selected portion `of bands 24, 2S between the rollers in accordance with the outdoor climatic conditions and at the convenience of occupants.

Each of bands 24, 25 may consist of a screen portion 24a, 25a, a transparent or translucent portion 24h, 25h, and a blackout portion 24e, 25C.

Rigid retaining frames 29, 30, hinged to upper` member 13 at 29a, and to lower member 14 at 30a, respectively,

bear against the visible portions of bands 24, 2S extend' ing between their respective rollers 26a, 27a, and 26h, 27h, to tightly retain the bands against the window frame 1li and prevent dust or insects from nding their way into the room when the screens 24a, 25a are visible; or draft when the transparent portions 24b,\25b are between the rollers, while at the same time eliminating noise in case that the bandportion between its respective rollers is not tightly drawn in Windy weather. These retaining frames may be simultaneously or selectively released by turnbuttons 31 of suitable contour adapting them to hold one, the other, or both frames, or to release both frames at the `same time. Frames 29, are preferably lined along their contact surfaces with a resilient layer of felt or rubber-like material (not shown) to insure a tight seal with the window frame and the bands 24, 25 therebetween. A coil spring 32a` (shown in Fig. 4) may be embedded in cross member 15 below each of the frames 29, 30 to urge said frames away from the bands 24, 25 on actuation of turnbuttons 31, and a hook 32 extending a short distance away from cross member 15 serves as a means to prevent released lower frame 30 from pivoting entirely around its hinge 30a, which could cause injury or inconvenience tothe operator.

Hook 32 may be replaced by. an arrangement shown in Fig. 4s. Here, a link 62 isi pivotally` connected r to the upper end. or traine. et.

und to a similar link 6,1, the latter being pivotable in a member 63 attached to cross member 15. As shown in dotted lines, frame 30 may be niVQted'eWaY-fwm cross member' 15: a distance equalina the Combined lengthot links 61, 62. The advantage of this arrangement resides in that no projecting .parts are visible while frame 30 is detainedby turnbuttons 31.

In order to prevent portions of bands 24, 25 from unrolling from their respective rollers, while said rollers are disconnected from shafts 1,6, 17, four leaf springs 33, held by screws 34 (see Fig. 2) to side members 11, 12. and each rotatably SupportingV a roller 55 of rubber or the like, cause 'said rollers to hear against bands 24, 2:3 at all times and Prevent their unrolling.

Ay simple and ellcient: structure 2,8 serving to selec tively or iolntlvA connect and release rollers 2o, 27 to or trom. shafts 16, 17', is shown. in Figs. 3 and 3a. Retarrinsf. to.v Fig. 3,v shaft 1.6 a short. portion 16a or hex asonal contour which may be engaged by the nat ends of thumb Screws 38. These thumb screws 3S traverse threaded bores 3.9 `in sleeves 36a, 3.6.1.), which sleeves are integral with rollers 26a, 2,6b. Roller 26a rests on a platform member 40a having. an open slot 40a for rcceptionof shaft 16 (see Fig. 3a). LeafA springs 33 cause suticient friction between band 2,4 and roller 26a on the one'hand, and the rubber roller 35 on the other hand to Prevent said roller 26a from rotating with shaft 16 while screw 38 isl loose. However, when the hat end of screw 38 is brought into intimate contact with one facetv of the hexagonal portion 16a, roller 26a will rotate together with said shaft when the belt 2,3 is moved in either direction, andv after retaining frame 2 9 has been released by actuation of,y turnbuttons 31.

. An alternate embodiment, generally indicated by numeral, 4,1, is shown, in Fig. 6. to serve the same purpose as the device 2,8. Here, a sleeve 43 of outer hexagonal contour isl keyed to shaft 16 (not shown) but is vertically reciprocatable. therealong against,Y the fgrictional force o t a leaf spring 44: in channel 4S. A stop 42,. limits the upward movement of said sleeve 4,3.k Roller 2,6!) is provided with a bore 46 of hexagonal` contour, which reoeives the.Y lower hexagonal portion of; Sleeve 43 so that shaft 16 with sleeve 43l and roller 26h may rotate in unison. To disconnect roller 26h, ange 43a is. pushed upwardlyagainst the stop` 4,2; to, remove hexagonal por tion of sleeve 43 from thebore ,4 6y in roller 2h52. Obviously, a sleevel 4,3 cooperating with upper rollers 26a and 27a., will be mounted in inverted' position to again abut against the saine Stop 42 fromk above.v Also, whilfe a. hexagonal. contour of sleeve 43', is believed to be suucient for all practical purposes, a sleeve with ten or more facets and a corresponding` borein the4 rollersmay beprovided in order to simplify the worlcof the operator desiring to connect one of the rollers toitsshaft Without necessitating Substantial rotation ofy the roller or sleeve.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a slightly different embodiment of a multiple window'in accordance with the present invention, onlythe lower half; thereof being shown for thesalee` of simplicity. Of course, the window shown in Fig. v7`v may also represent anv entity when the frame 1li' is without a crossrmember and theheight ofthe window isnot impractically great, While the structure or elements of,` the` window frame and the novel window may remain unchanged, the Pulley drive 21, 22, 23. of Fig.` 1 is replaced by a bevel gear arrangement and a crank that rotates Shafts 116 1117 in either direction. Asshowmshaft 1,16`carries a bevel gear 47 and shaft 11"! a bevelggear 48j, at itsrespective lower extremity. A transverseshaft-@is also provided withy bevel gears 50 (meshing with 47 and 51 (meshing with 48,) and a rnediana, bevel gear 5.2 that-in turn meshes withthe bevel gear 54 at the endv of crank 53 that extends through the window sill 19 with its handle 55 to be within easy reachof the user. Suitable brackets.V 56, 56", 56, are providedto support shafts 116, 117, 49 and the crank ti t) 5.3 in desirable operative position. The entire mech.- anism below sill 19 maybe enclosed by a suitable cover (not shown) and the handle portion of crank 53 may be made removable when not in use. Fig. 7 also illustrates a zipper 56a connecting the transparent portion 124!) and the screen portion 124:1 of band 124 for ease of disconnection 2mdconvenient replacement of a worn out or damaged band portion.

Fig. 9 illustrates a ratchetsand-pawl arrangement for rotation of the rollers 226b, 2.2711. In accordance with this embodiment, shafts 216, 21'7 are permanently connected with rollers 226b, 227b, each. shaft carrying a ratchet 57, 58 at, say, its lower extremity. Pivotable pawls 59, normally engage their respective ratchets and prevent the rotation of either roller-shaft-band assembly. When a change in the visible band portion from, say, transparent to screen, isrdesired, pawl A59 is pivoted into its position-shown in Fig. 9, and roller 2271) rotated manuallyV whereby' pawl 60' merelyrides over the teeth of ratchet 58. When theA Vscreen portion 224s has been` brought between side members 11, 12, pawl 59 is pivoted back into engagement with ratchet 57 to lock they structure. Obviously, prior to` any rotae tion of either rol1er,'frame 230 isreleased by actuating turnbuttons 231, and is. again. brought into its position against the window frame after engagement of' pawl 59 with ratchet 57.

Finally, Fig. l0 illustrates a still further embodiment of the roller drive, according to whichI the shafts 316, 317 are provided with Worm wheels 347; 348 at their lower extremities, meshing with worms 350, 351 on a transverse shaft 349` having a median worm wheel 352 which in turn meshes with worm 354i rotatable in both directions by crank 353 insertable intov square hole 354:1 in Worm 354. The usual brackets are shown at Asa further modification, the/transparent portion 24h of the upper band 24 maybe replaced by` a flexible panel' which is translucent in its upper half andk transparenty in its lower half (see band portions. 24h and 24b, re

24, 25 may be made ofv heavier material with sutiicientV strength to prevent anyy accident in multi-story apart ment houses. Also, the retaining frames may be provided with suitable cross braces 30' (seeFig. l) tosubdivide the area within the window frame lzinto a plu rality of smaller units, whereby. thedanger that small children may fall from the window of an apartment is eliminated.

Obviously, insteady of only three band sections, four or more may be joined in a band, for example, by adding an entire translucent portion or two, or several translucent sections of` different color shades. However, in practice, a band consisting of` threesectionsis considered satisfactory, especially sincev in case-.of an undue multiplication of band sections,` the rollers would require a substantial space at both lateral sides of the window frame which is usually unavailable.

I claim:

1. In a window frame;- having4 two; lateral sides, in combination: a mn'ltipanel` window: comprisingy two vertical shafts each rotatably mounted at one lateral side of said frame, each shaft havingfal lower end and at least one. multi-facet portion; atleast one pair of-hori zontally aligned upright rollers, each roller havingran end and each pair of rollers beingaxially traversed-by said shafts; a ilexibleband for each pairof rollers, each band having two lateral sides and consisting-of a screen portion, at least one transparent or translucent portion,

5' and a non-transparent portion, the lateral sides of each band being anchored in a pair of said rollers; drive means connected with and located in the proximity of the lower ends of said shafts for rotating same; means for selectively connecting said shafts with said rollers and comprising a sleeve rigidly connected with the end of each roller and surrounding a multi-facet portion of one of said shafts, and retainingmeans traversing said sleeve and adapted to engage a selected facet of the multi-facet portion of one of said shafts; and a retaining frame for `each band, said retaining frame being attached to said window frame for holding the edges of the visible portion of a band against said window frame when said drive means is not actuated and being,l movable with respect to said window frame into one position in which it sealngly engages a selected band by pressing same against said window frame, and into another position in which it permits horizontal movements of the band when said drive means is actuated and the rollers of a selected band are connected with said shafts. i

2. In a window frame having two `lateral sides, in combination: a multipanel window comprising two vertical shafts each having a lower end and each rotatably l mounted at one lateral side of said frame; at least one pair of horizontally aligned upright rollers axially traversed by said shafts; a Viiexible band for each pair of rollers, each band having two lateral sides and consisting of a screen portion, at least one transparent or translucent portion, and a non-transparent portion, the lateral sides of each band being anchored in a pair of said rollers; drive means connected with and located in the proximity of the lower ends of said shafts for rotating same, said drive means comprising a pulley fixed to each of said shafts and a belt connecting said pulleys; means for selectively connecting said shafts with said rollers; and a retaining frame for each band, said retaining frame being attached to said window frame for holding the edges of the visible portion of a bandY against said window frame when said drive means is not actuated and being movable with respect to said window frame into one position in which it sealingly engages a selected band by pressing same against said window frame, and into another position in which it permits horizontal movements of the band when said drive means is actuated and the rollers of a selected band are connected with said shafts.

3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein one of said shafts extends below the pulley which is connected thereto, and said drive means further comprises a first gear rigidly xed to said one shaft ybelow said last mentioned pulley, a second gear rotatably attached to said window frame and meshing with said first gear, and crank means operatively connected with said second gear for rotating same in two directions whereby to rotate said shafts over said pulleys and said band.

4. In a window frame having a pair of lateral members, an upper transverse member, a lower transverse member, and a cross member between said transverse prising two vertical shafts each having a lower end and each rotatably attached to one of said lateral members;

an upper and a lower pair of horizontally aligned up right rollers, each pair of rollers being axially traversed by said shafts; an upper and a lower nexible band disposed between said upper transverse member and said cross member, and between said cross member and said lower transverse member, respectively, each band having two lateral sides and consisting of a screen portion, at least one transparent or translucent portion, and a nontransparent portion, the lateral sides of the upper and lower band being anchored in the upper and lower pair of said rollers, respectively; drive means connected with and located in the proximity of the lower ends of said shafts for rotating same; means for selectively connecting said rollers with said shafts; an upper and a lower retaining frame pivotall'y connected with said uppejr transverse member and said lower transverse member, respectively, for holding the edges of the visible portions of said upper and said lower band against said window frame when said drive means is not actuated, each retaining frame being pivotable with respect to said window frame into one position in which it sealingly engages the respective band by pressing same against said window frame, and into another position in which it permits horizontal movements of the respective band when said drive means is actuated and the respective pair of rollers is connected with said shaft; and means for releasably connecting said upper and said lower retaining frames to said cross member.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 4, further comprising stop means attached to said cross member for limiting the pivoting movements of said lower retaining frame with respect to said window frame.

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